Device for application of multiple hygienic effects

ABSTRACT

A device for the application of two or more hygienic effects is provided. The device could have one element on a support (e.g. a pick or a toothpick) or multiple elements distributed on a support (a brush, a comb, a toothbrush, a glove or a facemask). In case of multiple elements, a pattern of elements could be created into a topographical surface of elements. Two or more light sources are used for each element whereby each of the light sources is capable of producing a unique light treatment. The two or more light sources could be within the element, i.e., inside or integrated in the element, or could be inside the support and then optically connected to the element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/645,674, filed Aug. 20, 2003, which is incorporated hereinby reference for all that it discloses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices capable of providing hygienictreatments through light.

BACKGROUND

Hygiene relates to the principles of cleanliness, promotion andpreservation of health or the freeing from disease-causingmicroorganisms. Hygienic effects can be established in different ways ofwhich one is through the effect of light on biological structures. Thelight treatment can be applied to superficial structures andsubcutaneous structures. The effects of light on biological structuresdepends on the properties of the light source (e.g. active matter, beamwavelength, continuous or impulse mode of operation), characteristics ofthe structures, water content, pigmentation degree, vascularization,vitality, heterogeneity, specific heat conductivity or time exposure.One of the objectives in the design of hygienic devices is toeffectively apply multiple hygienic effects preferably simultaneously.Such devices would then lead to a reduction in treatment time whileoptimizing a comprehensive application of hygienic effects. The presentinvention advances the art in that direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for application of two or morehygienic effects. The device could have one element on a support ormultiple elements distributed on a support. In case of multipleelements, a pattern of elements could be created into a topographicalsurface of elements. Two or more light sources are used for each elementwhereby each the light sources are capable of producing a unique lighttreatment. Examples of light sources are low power lasers, lightemitting diodes or semiconductor lasers. The spectrum of usable lightranges from the ultraviolet, visible or infrared spectrum.

At least part of each element is transparent to the light treatments,e.g. the top part of the element. A support structure is included towhich a connector part of the element can be fixed or removablyconnected. The light sources could be within the element (i.e., insideor integrated in the element) or could be inside the support and thenoptically connected to the element.

Different shapes and sizes of elements could be used, such as, elementsthat are slender, elongated, tapered, thin, having bead-shaped heads,having texture, partly or fully transparent, having optical guides, aswell as elements that are bendable, flexible or formable. The elements,and in particular the top parts, are made from a soft plastic, asilicone, transparent latex, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene),polyurethane, or the like.

In one aspect, the device includes means for providing vibration ormassaging effects. Vibrating or massaging means could be included in thesupport or in the element(s) with the objective to vibrate the supportand/or the element(s).

Examples of devices having one element are e.g. a pick or a toothpick.Examples of devices having multiple elements are e.g. a brush, comb,toothbrush, or the like. Other examples of devices are e.g. a glove or afacemask, whereby the multiple elements are connected to the surface.The surface of the glove or facemask is preferably a made of flexiblematerial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will beunderstood by reading the following detailed description in conjunctionwith the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows examples of the application of multiple hygienic effectsaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a brush according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a comb according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a toothbrush according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5-6 show examples of different elements according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 shows an example of patterns of multiple elements according tothe present invention; and

FIG. 8 shows examples of a vibrating or massaging means as part of thedevice according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics forthe purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate that many variations and alterations to the followingexemplary details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly,the following preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth withoutany loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, theclaimed invention.

The present invention provides a device capable of applying two or morelight treatments to body structures. These light treatments areestablished by two or more light sources each capable of delivering alight beam with a unique light treatment to the body structures. Theapplication of the light treatments could be established either in aquasi-stationary manner or a dynamic manner. The light sources arepreferably low power light sources including low power lasers, lightemitting diodes or low power semiconductor lasers ranging from theultraviolet, visible or infrared spectrum. The desired lighttreatment(s) that one would like to obtain guides the choice of thelight source (light sources) and the parameter(s). By varying parameterssuch as e.g. fluence, spot size, mode such as continuous or pulsed,repetition rate, pulse duration different light treatments could beestablished.

In general, light treatments are defined as treatments with hygieniceffects that relate to the cleanliness of these structures, promotionand preservation of health of the structures, freeing the body structurefrom disease-causing microorganisms or providing therapeutic ortreatment effects. In particular, the present invention encompasseshygienic effects related to the hygienic effect of visible, nearultraviolet and infrared light on these structures, which are known inthe art (for a light spectrum refer to page 13 in a book by Tuner et al.(1996) entitled “Laser therapy in dentistry and medicine” and publishedby Prisma Books, Grangesberg, Sweden). Examples of such hygienic effectsthat could be selected include anti-inflammatory effects, preventativeeffects, caries-protective effects, heating effects anti-bacterialeffects, sterilizing effects, cleaning effects, cosmetic effects,therapeutic effects, healing effects, bio-stimulative effects,bio-altering effects, pain-releaving effects, teeth whitening effects,photo-rejuvination effects, photodynamic effects or agent-penetrationeffects.

To establish a particular hygienic effect at a body structure one needsto consider the light source properties such as the type of low powerlight source, wavelength of the light beam, the continuous or impulsemode of operation of the light sources, characteristics of thestructures, water content of the structures, pigmentation degree of thestructures, vascularization of the structures, vitality of thestructures, heterogeneity of the structures, specific heat conductivityof the structures, the fluence of light penetration through a structureor the time exposure needed for the light beam. The art providesteachings on hygienic photo-effects of structures including guidelinesregarding parameters such as the type of light source, selection ofwavelength(s), fluence, penetration, selection of spot size, recommendedpulse duration, recommended repetition rate, or the like. The selectionof the hygienic effect as part of the present invention incorporatesthese teachings as well as new teachings that become available in theart describing newly identified hygienic effects.

Currently available teachings are described in the following books,which provide an exemplary list rather than a comprehensive list. Thelist includes a book by Goldman (1981) entitled “The biomedical laser:technology and clinical applications” and published by Springer-Verlag,New York; a book by Katzir (1993) entitled “Lasers and optical fibers inmedicine” and published by Academic Press, New York; a book by Hajder etal. (1994) entitled “Acupuncture and lasers” and published by Ming,Belgrade; a book by Tuner et al. (1996) entitled “Laser therapy indentistry and medicine” and published by Prisma Books, Grangesberg,Sweden; a book by Alster et al. (1996) entitled “Cosmetic laser surgery”and published by Wiley & Sons, New York; or a book by Fitzpatrick et al.(2000) entitled “Cosmetic Laser Surgery” and published by Mosby, St.Louis).

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an element 110 with twolight sources 120, 130 delivering a light beam with a green wavelength122 and a light beam with a blue wavelength 132, respectively. The greenwavelength 122 and the blue wavelength 132 each provide a uniquehygienic effect when applied to body structure 140. In this example,light beams 122, 132 have both a fairly superficial hygienic effect, yetunique and different from each other, at body structure 140 as shown by124, 134 respectively. In general, two or more light sources could beused such as n light sources 150-1 to 150-n. Two of the same lightsources could be used such as two light sources 160-1, 160-2 that eachdeliver blue light, however, with at least one different parameter toestablish a different and unique hygienic effect for each of the twolight sources 160-1, 160-2. Such a different and unique hygienic effectcould be established by different fluences for each of the two lightsources 160-1, 160-2, i.e. fluence 1 and fluence 2, respectively. Therelative subsurface fluence of a light beam in a structure is dependenton the spot size, which could be relatively small or relatively large.The same subsurface fluence values appear at deeper levels with thelarger spot size compared to the smaller spot size. Another example isthat there are three light sources, of which two are the same 170-1,170-2 and one 170-3 is different, though all three delivering a uniquehygienic effect.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of different hygienic effects in astructure in which the light beams are applied in a quasi-stationarymanner. However, as a person of average skill in the art to which thisinvention pertains readily appreciates, blending of hygienic effectscould be achieved when the light beams are moved with respect to thebody structure. In such a dynamic manner of applying the hygieniceffects, a particular body structure receives blending of two or morehygienic effects, i.e., where the penetration of the treatment overlaps.

Exemplary devices according to the present invention are shown in FIGS.2-4. It is noted that these are examples and that the invention is notlimited to these devices. The key idea of each of the devices is thatthey each have a support 210 with multiple elements 220 distributedthereon. Each element could include two or more light sources (e.g.inside or integrated with the element) or could be optically connectedwith the two or more light sources in case they are e.g. situated insupport 210 or handle 230. The multiple elements could have elementseach with the same type of two or more light sources, or there could bea mixture or a pattern of different elements with each element havingtheir own combination of light sources.

FIG. 2 shows a brush 200 with a support 210 for multiple elements 220.The support is extended from handle 230. Handle 230 could have controls240A, 240B for power as well as programming the device. A display 250could be used for displaying the status of the device as well asproviding feedback of the hygiene treatment program. FIG. 3 shows a comb300 with a row of multiple elements 310 on support 320. FIG. 4 shows atoothbrush 400 with multiple (thin) elements 410 on support 420.

FIG. 5 shows examples of elements 510, 520, 530. Each element 510, 520,530 has a top part 512, 522, 532, respectively, which defines the shapeor size of the element. Light sources, 120, 130 (in this example of FIG.5 there are two light sources), are situated near the bottom and insidetop part 512, 522, 532. Base 540 supports top part 512, 522, 532, and isfurther integrated with a connector part 550. Connector part 550 fitsthe support like a male/female connector. The art teaches many differentmechanisms for connector part 550 all which are useful to thisinvention.

Element 510 has a slender, elongated and tapered top part 512transparent to light beams 122, 132 (indicated by the straight arrows).The elements 410 in toothbrush 400 shown in FIG. 4 are thin filamentsand could be interpreted from element 510 with the exception that thetop part is no longer tapered. Element 520 has slender, elongated andtapered top part 522 transparent to light beams 122, 132 (indicated bythe straight arrows). A bead-shaped head 522 is integrated with top part522. The light beams 122, 132 will now also pass through bead-shapedhead 522. Element 530 has a short (tapered or rounded) top part 532transparent to light beams 122, 132 (indicated by the straight arrows).Accordingly, different top parts could be used and developed withdifferent sizes and with different texture (not shown), all which areprimarily dependent on the type of application and/or user preference.

The top parts of the elements could be between 0.1-10 mm in diameter andbetween 5 and 100 mm in length. In one aspect at least part of theelement is made out of transparent material. Transparent materialssuitable for the top parts of the elements are materials capable ofradiating two or more light beams through its surface without loosingthe desired treatment effect or power of the light beams. Examples ofsuch a transparent material are for instance, but not limited to, asilicone, a (soft) plastic, a transparent latex, PTFE(polytetrafluoroethylene), polyurethane, or the like. Depending on thetype of material used, the top part of the element could be flexible,bendable or formable. A toothbrush could have top parts based on thinflexible filaments; each toothbrush could have filaments with adifferent stiffness similar to conventional toothbrushes.

FIG. 5 shows examples of elements with transparent top parts. Now thisdoes not have to be case for all elements, since it would also bepossible that it is desired to have the light treatments radiate fromparticular parts of the top part. FIG. 6 shows element 610 whereby thetop part 612 has a reflective coating or a cladding 620 to prevent lightbeams from going through the surface of the top part. Examples of suchcoatings or claddings are know in the art and the selection depends onthe type of light beams as a person of average skill in the art wouldreadily appreciate.

In general, the top part of an element could include one or more opticalguides providing guidance of the light beams. As a person of averageskill in the art to which this invention pertains would readilyappreciate, this could be accomplished in different ways. For instance,one could include optical guide(s) or path(s), optical fiber(s),lens(es), mirror(s), prism(s), reflective coating(s), reflectivegroove(s), beam splitter(s), collimator(s), light channel(s),cladding(s) and grating(s). In the example of FIG. 6, element 630includes a top part 632 with optical guides 640 to promote thepropagation of light beams in such a way that they are able to passthrough top part 632 in various directions. An optical guide could alsobe a hollow guide (air filled) or a guide filled with a material (e.g.water, a gel or a silicone) that optically guides the light beam(s) andpropagates the light beam(s) through the element.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention, which relates toa flexible support 710 onto which elements could be attached andreplaced by other elements in case a different treatment is desired. Inother words, the key idea here is that dependent on the type oftreatments and/or preferred types of elements a user could create apattern of elements with: (i) elements providing different hygieniceffects, and/or (ii) elements having different shapes or sizes. Sideview 720 and top view 730 show the three different type of elements 510,520, 530 as discussed with reference to FIG. 5. The pattern shown inviews 720, 730 shows a topographical surface of the multiple elements.By having removable or detachable elements, the user is capable ofchanging the pattern and creating a new topographical surface as desiredfor his/her hygienic treatment plan. The flexible support could take theshape of a glove, a facemask, or other suitable devices used for hygieneor treatment application. In case of a glove the elements are(preferably) removably attached to the outside of the glove so that auser could e.g. rub his/her face and apply the hygienic treatments. Incase of a facemask the elements are (preferably) removably attached tothe inside of the facemask so that a user wear the facemask and applythe hygienic treatments. Examples of flexible supports are, forinstance, but not limited to, latex, silicone, rubber, PTFE(polytetrafluoroethylene), polyurethane, or the like.

FIG. 8 shows two embodiments in which a vibrating means or a massagingmeans is included in the device with the objective to provide vibrationto at least the top part of element 810 or, additionally, in some cases,to the support 820. In one aspect, vibrating or massaging means 830could be included in support 820 and in operable contact with element810. In another aspect, vibrating or massaging means 840 could beincluded in element 810, which is connected to support 850. Examples ofvibrating or massaging means that could be used are an ultrasonic means,a piezoelectric means or a mechanical means, all which are known in theart.

The present invention has now been described in accordance with severalexemplary embodiments, which are intended to be illustrative in allaspects, rather than restrictive. Thus, the present invention is capableof many variations in detailed implementation, which may be derived fromthe description contained herein by a person of ordinary skill in theart. All such variations are considered to be within the scope andspirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims andtheir legal equivalents.

1. A device for application of two or more hygienic effects, comprising:(a) an element having a connector part at the base of said element; (b)two or more light sources, wherein each one of two or more light sourcesare capable of producing a unique light treatment and wherein at leastpart of said element is transparent to said light treatments; and (c) asupport to which said connector part can be fixed or removablyconnected.
 2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said two ormore light sources are within said element.
 3. The device as set forthin claim 1, wherein said element comprises a slender and elongated part.4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said element comprises athin filament part.
 5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidelement comprises a tapered part.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein the end of said element comprises a bead-shaped head.
 7. Thedevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein part of the surface of saidelement comprises texture.
 8. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein said element comprises soft plastic, silicone, latex,transparent latex, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or polyurethane. 9.The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein part of said element isflexible, bendable or formable.
 10. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein said two or more light sources are low power lasers, lightemitting diodes or semiconductor lasers.
 11. The device as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said light beams comprise light from the ultraviolet,visible or infrared spectrum.
 12. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein said element comprises one or more optical guides to guide saidlight beams.
 13. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein saidoptical guides are selected from the group consisting of optical fibers,lenses, mirrors, prisms, reflective coatings, reflective grooves, beamsplitters, collimators, light channels, cladding and gratings.
 14. Thedevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support structure furthercomprises a vibrating means or a massaging means.
 15. The device as setforth in claim 1, wherein said element further comprises a vibratingmeans or a massaging means.
 16. A device for application of hygieniceffects, comprising: (a) multiple elements, wherein each of saidmultiple elements are optically arranged with two or more light sources,wherein each one of two or more light sources are capable of producing aunique light treatment and wherein at least part of each of saidmultiple elements is transparent to said light treatments, and whereineach of said multiple elements having a connector part at the base ofeach of said multiple elements; and (b) a support to which saidconnector parts can be fixed or removably connected, said multipleelements are distributed over said support.
 17. The device as set forthin claim 16, wherein said two or more light sources are within each ofsaid multiple elements.
 18. The device as set forth in claim 16, whereinsaid support is the head of a comb.
 19. The device as set forth in claim16, wherein said support is the head of a brush.
 20. The device as setforth in claim 16, wherein said support is the head of a toothbrush. 21.The device as set forth in claim 16, wherein said support is a flexiblesupport.
 22. The device as set forth in claim 16, wherein said supportis a glove.
 23. The device as set forth in claim 16, wherein saidsupport is a facemask.
 24. The device as set forth in claim 16, whereinsaid distributed multiple elements on said support have differentshapes.
 25. The device as set forth in claim 16, wherein said multipleelements are distributed on said support in a pattern, said patterncreating a topographical surface of said multiple elements.
 26. Thedevice as set forth in claim 16, wherein said support further comprisesa vibrating means or a massaging means.
 27. The device as set forth inclaim 16, wherein each of said multiple elements further comprises avibrating means or a massaging means.